Poly-faced bone fusion implant

ABSTRACT

A bone fusion implant is provided for treating conditions of Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP), Distal interphalangeal (DIP), and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) foot joints. The bone fusion implant may be a cortical bone allograft sized to fuse the foot joint to be treated. A proximal portion of the implant may be pressed into a hole drilled in a proximal bone portion of the foot joint, and a distal portion of the implant may be pressed into a hole drilled in a distal bone portion of the foot joint. Ramps on the proximal and distal portions facilitate press-fitting the implant into the holes in the bone portions. Side ramps ensure that the bone fusion implant remains substantially aligned with the foot joint while the distal portion is pressed into the hole into the distal bone portion. Grooves on the ramps alleviate pressure and ease inserting the implant into the holes in the bone portions.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/901,774 filed on Feb. 21, 2018 and U.S.Provisional Application, entitled “Poly-Faced Bone Fusion Implant,”filed on Feb. 23, 2017 and having application Ser. No. 62/462,766.

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure generally relates to securing bonestogether. More particularly, the field of the invention relates to animplant for fusing foot joint bones of the human body.

BACKGROUND

Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) foot joint fusion essentially fixes thejoint and fuses the proximal and middle phalanx (toe bones) in astraightened or angled position. The PIP is the first joint of the smalltoes. An indication for surgery is when this joint has a fixed curvedeformity, such as due to claw toe, hammer toe, or mallet toedeformities. The deformity may be producing enough pain or functionallimitations to warrant surgery. The deformity generally developsgradually and thus becomes fixed in a bent position for a long period oftime.

There are a variety of ways that a PIP foot joint fusion may beperformed. The PIP foot joint may be approached either through alongitudinal or transverse incision on the top of the toe. Once thejoint is opened up, a small segment of bone may be removed from eitherside of the joint, creating enough room for the joint to be realigned.The joint may then be fixated in a straightened or slightly angledposition, either by way of a wire or an internal screw. Fixating the PIPfoot joint may be performed in association with other procedures, suchas a tendon transfer, to help keep the toe in the newly straightenedposition, as well as procedures to address underlying mechanicalproblems that may have caused the small toe deformities of the PIP footjoint.

SUMMARY

A bone fusion implant is provided for fixating adjacent bone portionsacross a bone fusion site, particularly for treating conditions ofProximal Interphalangeal (PIP), Distal interphalangeal (DIP), andmetatarsophalangeal (MTP) foot joints. The bone fusion implant iscomprised of an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distalportion that share a line of fixation. A multiplicity of valleys may bedisposed on opposite sides of the elongate member and configured toreceive an insertion tool. A multiplicity of ramps and longitudinalgrooves may be disposed on opposite sides of the elongate member. In oneembodiment, proximal ramps are disposed on opposite sides of theproximal portion and extend to the line of fixation, distal ramps aredisposed on opposite sides of the distal portion and extend toward theline of fixation, and side ramps are disposed between the distal rampsand extend to the line of fixation. In some embodiments, one or morelongitudinal grooves may be disposed along the proximal portion andparallel the proximal ramps, and a keel may separate pairs of adjacentlongitudinal grooves. The bone fusion implant may be comprised of acortical bone allograft that is suitably sized to fuse a bone joint tobe treated. A longitudinal axis of the cortical bone allograft may besubstantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cortical bone toaccommodate anisotropy in the structure of the cortical bone.

In an exemplary embodiment, a bone fusion implant for treatingconditions of Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP), Distal interphalangeal(DIP), and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) foot joints comprises an elongatemember comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion that share aline of fixation; proximal ramps disposed on opposite sides of theproximal portion and extending to the line of fixation; distal rampsdisposed on opposite sides of the distal portion and extending towardthe line of fixation; and side ramps disposed between the distal rampsand extending to the line of fixation.

In another exemplary embodiment, the bone fusion implant furthercomprises a dorsal valley and a plantar valley disposed between thedistal ramps and the proximal ramps, the dorsal valley and the plantarvalley being configured to receive an insertion tool suitable forgrasping and inserting the bone fusion implant into bone. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the proximal portion is configured to be implantedinto a hole drilled in a proximal bone portion, and wherein the distalportion is configured to be implanted into a hole drilled in a distalbone portion, the proximal bone portion and the distal bone portioncomprising a bone joint being treated. In another exemplary embodiment,the side ramps are configured to contact the proximal bone portion whenthe line of fixation is aligned with the outside surface of the proximalbone portion, and wherein the side ramps are configured to ensure thatthe line of fixation remains substantially aligned with the outsidesurface during pressing of the distal portion into a hole drilled intothe distal bone portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, the bone fusion implant is comprised ofa cortical bone allograft that is suitably sized to fuse a bone joint tobe treated, a longitudinal axis of the cortical bone allograft beingsubstantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cortical bone toaccommodate anisotropy in the structure of the cortical bone. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the proximal ramps are configured to facilitatepress-fitting the proximal portion into a hole drilled in a proximalbone portion and create relatively greater compression between theproximal portion and the bone near the line of fixation. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the distal ramps are configured to facilitatepress-fitting the distal portion into a bone hole drilled in a distalbone portion and encourage bone graft incorporation.

In another exemplary embodiment, the elongate member has at least foursides, such that two opposite of the at least four sides include theproximal ramps and comprise substantially parallel faces of the elongatemember between the proximal ramps and a proximal end of the elongatemember, and such that two opposite of the at least four sides includethe distal ramps and comprise tapered faces of the elongate memberbetween the side ramps and the proximal end, the tapered faces beingconfigured to facilitate a press-fit between the proximal portion and ahole drilled in bone. In another exemplary embodiment, one or moretransverse grooves are disposed on any one or more of the side ramps,the proximal ramps, and the distal ramps, the transverse grooves beingconfigured to alleviate pressure and ease inserting the bone fusionimplant into a hole drilled in bone. In another exemplary embodiment,any one or more of the side ramps, the proximal ramps, and the distalramps include a surface texture configured to ease inserting the bonefusion implant into a hole drilled in bone and facilitate bone graftincorporation. In another exemplary embodiment, the surface texture isbiased toward the line of fixation so as to facilitate movement of bonetoward the line of fixation and inhibit bone movement away from the lineof fixation.

In another exemplary embodiment, one or more longitudinal grooves aredisposed on any one or more of the side ramps, the proximal ramps, andthe distal ramps, the longitudinal grooves being configured to easeinserting the bone fusion implant into a hole drilled in bone andfacilitate bone graft incorporation. In another exemplary embodiment,one or more longitudinal grooves are disposed along the proximal portionand configured to facilitate inserting the bone fusion implant into boneand encourage bone graft incorporation. In another exemplary embodiment,the proximal portion is disposed at a longitudinal angle with respect tothe distal portion, the longitudinal angle being configured such that abone joint may be fixated with a distal bone portion oriented in aplantar direction relative to a proximal bone portion. In anotherexemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the elongate membercomprises a curved portion that directs the distal portion at thelongitudinal angle relative to the proximal portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, a bone fusion implant for fixating adjacentbone portions across a bone fusion site comprises an elongate membercomprised of a proximal portion and a distal portion that share a lineof fixation; a multiplicity of valleys disposed on opposite sides of thebone fusion implant and configured to receive an insertion tool; amultiplicity of ramps comprising longitudinal grooves and disposed onopposite sides of the bone fusion implant; one or more longitudinalgrooves disposed along the proximal portion and paralleling the proximalramps; and a keel separating each pair of adjacent of the one or morelongitudinal grooves.

In another exemplary embodiment, the proximal portion is configured tobe implanted into a portion of a bone hole drilled in a proximal boneportion and the distal portion is configured to be implanted into aportion of the bone hole drilled in a distal bone portion across thebone fusion site. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity ofvalleys is comprised of distal valleys disposed near the line offixation and proximal valleys disposed near a proximal end of the bonefusion implant. In another exemplary embodiment, the multiplicity oframps is comprised of distal ramps disposed on the distal portion andconfigured to contact a distal bone portion, and wherein themultiplicity of ramps is comprised of proximal ramps disposed on theproximal portion and configured to contact a proximal bone portion. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the one or more longitudinal groovesextend along the entire length of the proximal portion. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the one or more longitudinal grooves are comprisedof at least four longitudinal grooves, and wherein at least two keelsare disposed along the length of the proximal portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant that is configured to treat conditions of ProximalInterphalangeal (PIP) and Distal interphalangeal (DIP) foot joints, suchas claw toe, hammer toe, and mallet toe deformities;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of thebone fusion implant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side plan view of the exemplary embodiment of thebone fusion implant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away view of a proximal interphalangeal footjoint being fixated by way of the bone fusion implant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away dorsal-plantar view of a proximalinterphalangeal foot joint being fixated by way of the bone fusionimplant of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant comprising longitudinal and transverse grooves;

FIG. 5B illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant comprising multiple longitudinal grooves;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant comprising a longitudinal bend;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cut-away view of a proximal interphalangeal footjoint being fixated at an angle by way of the bone fusion implant ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant comprising multiple longitudinal grooves; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a cut-away view of an exemplary osteotomy of a firstmetatarsal being fixated by way of the bone fusion implant of FIG. 8.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Theinvention should be understood to not be limited to the particular formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “firstbone portion,” may be made. However, the specific numeric referenceshould not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but ratherinterpreted that the “first bone portion” is different than a “secondbone portion.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merelyexemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still becontemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected eitherdirectly to the component or indirectly to the component through anothercomponent. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,”or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate asuitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection ofcomponents to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

In general, the present disclosure describes a bone fusion implant fortreating conditions of Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP), Distalinterphalangeal (DIP), and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) foot joints. Thebone fusion implant comprises an elongate member having a proximalportion and a distal portion that share a line of fixation. The proximalportion is configured to be implanted into a hole drilled in a proximalbone portion of the PIP foot joint, and the distal portion is configuredto be implanted into a hole drilled in a distal bone portion of the PIPfoot joint. Proximal ramps are disposed on opposite sides of theproximal portion and configured to facilitate press-fitting the proximalportion into the hole in the proximal bone portion. Distal ramps aredisposed on opposite sides of the distal portion and configured tofacilitate press-fitting the distal portion into the hole drilled in adistal bone portion. The proximal and distal ramps create a relativelygreater compression between the bone fusion implant and the portion ofbone near the line of fixation. Side ramps disposed between the distalramps and extending toward the line of fixation are configured tocontact the proximal bone portion when the line of fixation is alignedwith the outside surface of the proximal bone portion. The side rampsensure that the line of fixation remains substantially aligned with thePIP foot joint during pressing of the distal portion into the holedrilled into the distal bone portion. A dorsal valley and a plantarvalley are disposed between the distal ramps and the proximal ramps. Thedorsal and plantar valleys are configured to receive an insertion toolsuitable for grasping and inserting the bone fusion implant into thehole drilled in proximal bone portion.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bone fusion implant 100that is configured to treat conditions of PIP, DIP, and MTP foot joints.Such conditions may include, but are not limited to claw toe, hammertoe, and mallet toe deformities. The bone fusion implant 100 may becomprised of a cortical bone allograft that is suitably sized to fusethe PIP, DIP, and MTP joints of the foot. It is contemplated that alongitudinal axis of the cortical bone allograft may be substantiallyaligned with the longitudinal axis of the cortical bone to accommodateanisotropy in the structure of the cortical bone.

The bone fusion implant 100 is a generally elongate member comprised ofa proximal portion 104 and a distal portion 108 that share a line offixation 112 shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. The proximal portion 104 isconfigured to be implanted into a hole drilled in a proximal boneportion 116, such as a proximal phalanx of a PIP foot joint 118, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The distal portion 108 is configured to beimplanted into a hole drilled in a distal bone portion 120, such as amiddle phalanx of the PIP foot joint 118. In the illustrated embodiment,the length of the proximal portion 104 is relatively greater than thelength of the distal portion 108. The lengths of the proximal and distalportions 104, 108 are configured to optimize insertion of the bonefusion implant 100 into PIP, DIP, and MTP foot joints, as describedherein. In general, however, the lengths of the proximal and distalportions 104, 108 are dependent upon the characteristics of the specificbone portions to be fused, or fixated, and thus the lengths of theproximal and distal portions 104, 108 may be varied from those shownherein, without limitation.

During fusing the PIP foot joint 118, the proximal portion 104 may beinserted into the proximal bone portion 116 by way of an insertion toolsuitable for grasping and pushing the bone fusion implant 100 into bone,such as, by way of non-limiting example, forceps or other similar tool.A dorsal valley 124 and a plantar valley 128 disposed on opposite facesof the distal portion 108 are configured to receive the insertion tool.Upon grasping the bone fusion implant 100 by way of the dorsal andplantar valleys 124, 128, the proximal portion 104 may be pressed intothe hole in the proximal bone portion 116. Side ramps 132, 136, disposedadjacent to the valleys 124, 128 on opposite faces of the bone fusionimplant 100, are configured to contact the proximal bone portion 116when the line of fixation 112 is aligned with the outside surface of theproximal bone portion 116. The distal bone portion 120 may be pressedonto the distal portion 108 that remains extending outside the proximalbone portion 116. The side ramps 132, 136 ensure that the line offixation 112 remains substantially aligned with the PIP foot joint 118during pressing the distal portion 108 into the hole drilled into thedistal bone portion 120.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2B, proximal ramps 140, 144 are disposed onopposite sides of the proximal portion 104. The proximal ramps 140, 144comprise a tapered thickness of the proximal portion 104 extending awayfrom the valleys 124, 128 toward a proximal end 148. As will berecognized, the proximal ramps 140, 144 facilitate press-fitting theproximal portion 104 into the hole drilled in the proximal bone portion116 and create relatively greater compression between the proximalportion 104 and the bone near the line of fixation 112. Further, theproximal ramps 140, 144 discourage loosening of the proximal portion 104within the proximal bone portion 116 after being press-fitted into thebone hole.

As further shown in FIG. 2B, distal ramps 152, 156 are disposed onopposite sides of the distal portion 108. The distal ramps 152, 156 aresimilar to the proximal ramps 140, 144, with the exception that thedistal ramps 152, 156 comprise a tapered thickness of the distal portion108 extending away from the valleys 124, 128 toward a distal end 160.The distal ramps 152, 156 facilitate press-fitting the distal portion108 into a bone hole drilled in the distal bone portion 120. Similar tothe ramps 140, 144, the distal ramps 152, 156 are configured to create arelatively greater compression between the distal portion 108 and thebone near the line of fixation 112. As shown in FIG. 2B, the distalramps 152, 156 slope toward the distal end 160, thereby facilitatinginserting the distal portion 108 into the bone hole and discouragingloosening of the compression between the distal portion 108 and thedistal bone portion 120.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the proximal and distal ends 148, 160 may bechamfered so as to the minimize resistance to inserting the bone fusionimplant 100 into bone. It should be understood, however, that theproximal and distal ends 148, 160 need not be chamfered as shown inFIGS. 2A-2B, but rather the proximal and distal ends 148, 160 mayinclude any of various surface features that are found to facilitateinserting the proximal and distal ends 148, 160 into holes drilled inbone. For example, the proximal and distal ends 148, 160 may be beveledat any of various angles, as desired, or rounded to minimize potentialtrauma to bone surrounding the hole drilled in bone.

In the embodiment of the bone fusion implant 100 illustrated in FIGS.2A-2B, the generally elongate member comprising the bone fusion implanthas four-sides. As shown in FIG. 2B, two opposite sides, upon which theproximal and distal ramps 140-156 are disposed, comprise substantiallyparallel faces 164 of the bone fusion implant 100 between the proximalramps 140, 144 and the proximal end 148. The two opposite sides thatinclude the side ramps 132, 136 comprise angled, or tapered faces 168 ofthe bone fusion implant 100 between the side ramps and the proximal end148. The tapered faces 168 are configured to facilitate a press-fitbetween the proximal portion 104 and the bone hole drilled into theproximal bone portion 116. It is contemplated that the press-fit maydiscourage loosening of the bone fusion implant 100 within the bone andencourage graft incorporation.

The bone fusion implant 100 need not be limited to four-sides, butrather the elongate member comprising a poly-faced bone fusion implantmay be comprised of greater than four sides. For example, in someembodiments, the elongate member comprising the poly-faced bone fusionimplant may have five, six, seven, eight, or any number of sides that isfound to facilitate fusing the PIP, DIP, and MTP foot joints, asdescribed herein. Further, the poly-faced bone fusion implant is notlimited to being comprised of the side, proximal, and distal ramps132-156 described and shown herein. In some embodiments, for example,the poly-faced bone fusion implant may be comprised of more than twodistal ramps 152, 156, such as four distal ramps without limitation. Insome embodiments, the poly-faced bone fusion implant may be comprised ofmore than two proximal ramps 140, 144, such as, by way of non-limitingexample, four proximal ramps.

Moreover, the poly-faced bone fusion implant may be comprised of variousnumbers of side, proximal, and distal ramps without limitation. Forexample, in one embodiment, the elongate member comprising thepoly-faced bone fusion implant may be comprised of eight sides with fourdistal ramps and four side ramps uniformly distributed around theperimeter of the distal portion 108. Further, such an embodiment of thepoly-faced bone fusion implant may be comprised of four or eightproximal ramps that are uniformly distributed around the perimeter ofthe proximal portion 104, without limitation.

In some embodiments, transverse grooves 172 may be disposed on any ofthe side, proximal, and distal ramps 132-156. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, transverse grooves 172 are disposed inthe side ramps 132, 136 and the proximal ramps 140, 144. The transversegrooves 172 may alleviate pressure and ease inserting the bone fusionimplant 100 into the bone. The transverse grooves 172 may furtherincrease the surface area of the bone fusion implant 100 so as toencourage graft incorporation. Once the bone fusion implant 100 has beensuitably inserted into the bone, the bone may grow into the transversegrooves 172 and thereby maintain fixation of the implant in the bone.Moreover, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, any of varioussurface textures or other topological features may be incorporated intoany one or more of the ramps 132-156, either in addition to or in lieuof the transverse grooves 172. For example, in some embodiments, theramps 132-156 may each be comprised of a multiplicity of smallertransverse grooves disposed adjacently along the surface of each ramp.In some embodiments, the smaller transverse grooves may be biased towardthe dorsal and plantar valleys 124, 128 so as to form sawtooth texturesthat facilitate movement of bone toward the line of fixation 112 andinhibit bone movement away from the line of fixation.

FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant 180 that is configured to treat deformities of PIPand DIP foot joints. The bone fusion implant 180 is substantiallysimilar to the bone fusion implant 100, illustrated in FIG. 1, with theexception that the bone fusion implant 180 is comprised of proximal anddistal ramps 140-156 that include longitudinal grooves 184, in lieu ofthe transverse grooves 172. Further, the bone fusion implant 180comprises a longitudinal groove 188 disposed in each of the taperedfaces 168. FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bone fusionimplant 192 that comprises a longitudinal groove 196 disposed in each ofthe side ramps 132, 136 in lieu of the transverse grooves 172. Thelongitudinal grooves 184, 188, 196 are configured to facilitateinserting the bone fusion implant into bone and encourage bone graftincorporation, as disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant 200 that is configured to treat deformities of PIP,DIP, and MTP foot joints. The bone fusion implant 200 is substantiallysimilar to the bone fusion implant 100, illustrated in FIG. 1, with theexception that the bone fusion implant 200 is comprised of a proximalportion 104 that is disposed at a longitudinal angle with respect to adistal portion 108. The bone fusion implant 200 may be used to fixatethe PIP foot joint 118 with the distal bone portion 120 (e.g., themiddle phalanx) disposed in the plantar direction, at a desired angle,relative to the proximal bone portion 116 (e.g., the proximal phalanx),as shown in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the proximal and distalportions 104, 108 may be comprised of straight portions that aredisposed at an angle with respect to one another. In some embodiments, acurved portion may be incorporated into the bone fusion implant 200 todirect the distal portion 108 at an angle relative to the proximalportion 104. In some embodiments, the bone fusion implant 200 may becomprised of a curved elongate member, wherein the distal portion 108 isdisposed at angle relative to the proximal portion 104. It should berecognized, therefore, that any of various techniques may be used toestablish an angle between the proximal and distal portions 104, 108,without limitation, and without deviating beyond the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of abone fusion implant 204 that may be used to treat deformities of PIP,DIP, and MTP foot joints, as well as treating other bones of the humanbody. The bone fusion implant 204 is a generally elongate membercomprised of a proximal portion 104 and a distal portion 108 that sharea line of fixation 112 that is similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. Asshown in FIG. 9, the bone fusion implant 204 is configured to beimplanted across a fusion site 208, wherein the proximal portion 104 isimplanted into a portion of a bone hole 210 drilled in a proximal boneportion 212 and the distal portion 108 is implanted into a portion ofthe bone hole 210 drilled in a distal bone portion 216. As describedherein, the lengths of the proximal and distal portions 104, 108 aredependent upon the characteristics of the specific bone portions to befused, or fixated, and thus the lengths of the proximal and distalportions 104, 108 may be varied from those shown herein, withoutlimitation.

During fusing of the proximal and distal bone portions 212, 216, thebone fusion implant 204 may be inserted into the bone hole 210 by way ofan insertion tool suitable for grasping and pushing the bone fusionimplant 204 into bone, such as, by way of non-limiting example, forcepsor other similar tool. A pair of distal valleys 218 disposed near theline of fixation 112 are configured to receive the insertion tool.Similarly, a pair of proximal valleys 220 near the proximal end 148 maybe configured to receive the insertion tool. It is contemplated that theinsertion tool may be used to grasp and push the bone fusion implant204, by way of the distal valleys 218, into the bone hole 210 until thedistal valleys 218 are near the surface of the bone, at which point theproximal valleys 220 may be utilized to continue pushing the bone fusionimplant deeper into the bone hole 210. The bone fusion implant 204 maybe inserted into the bone hole 210 until the distal portion 108 issuitably inserted into the distal bone portion 116 and the proximalportion 104 is suitably inserted into the proximal bone portion 212,such that the line of fixation 112 is advantageously aligned with thefusion site 208.

As shown in FIG. 9, distal ramps 224 disposed on opposite sides of thedistal portion 108 are configured to contact the distal bone portion216, and proximal ramps 228 disposed on opposite sides of the proximalportion 104 are configured to contact the proximal bone portion 212. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the distal ramps 224 and the proximal ramps228 flare toward the proximal end 148. In some embodiments, however, theproximal ramps 228 may flare toward the distal end 160, as discussedherein. Further, in the embodiment of the bone fusion implant 204illustrated in FIG. 8-9, the distal ramps 224 are disposed on surfacesthat are adjacent to the surfaces comprising the proximal ramps 228. Insome embodiments, however, any of the distal ramps 224 and any of theproximal ramps 228 may share the same surface of the bone fusion implant204, without limitation. Moreover, each of the distal ramps 224 includesa longitudinal groove 232, and each of the proximal ramps 228 includes alongitudinal groove 236. The longitudinal grooves 232, 236 areconfigured to facilitate inserting the bone fusion implant 204 into boneand encourage bone graft incorporation, as disclosed herein.

With continuing reference to FIG. 8, each of the proximal ramps 228 isadjacently paralleled by a longitudinal groove 240. The longitudinalgrooves 240 generally are disposed along the entire length of theproximal portion 104, although various lengths of the longitudinalgrooves are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, theproximal portion 104 is comprised of four longitudinal grooves 240. Itis envisioned, however, that more or less than four longitudinal grooves240 may be disposed along the proximal portion 104, depending on thenumber of proximal ramps 228 incorporated into the proximal portion 104,without limitation. A keel 244 separates each pair of adjacentlongitudinal grooves 240 and extends along the length of the proximalportion 104. Although the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8 is comprisedof two keels 244, it should be understood that more or less than twokeels 244 may be incorporated into the bone fusion implant 204,depending on the number of proximal ramps 228 comprising the proximalportion 104, without limitation. Further, as mentioned with respect tothe longitudinal grooves 240, various lengths of the keels 244 arecontemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. It iscontemplated that the longitudinal grooves 240 and the keels 244 mayfacilitate inserting the bone fusion implant 204 into bone and encouragebone graft incorporation, as disclosed herein.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular variationsand illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figuresdescribed. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicatecertain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may bemodified and that such modifications are in accordance with thevariations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may beperformed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well asperformed sequentially as described above. To the extent there arevariations of the invention, which are within the spirit of thedisclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it isthe intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited bythe specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of theappended claims.

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 15. (canceled)16. A bone fusion implant for fixating adjacent bone portions across abone fusion site, comprising: an elongate member comprised of a proximalportion and a distal portion that share a line of fixation; amultiplicity of valleys disposed on opposite sides of the bone fusionimplant and configured to receive an insertion tool; a multiplicity oframps comprising longitudinal grooves and disposed on opposite sides ofthe bone fusion implant; one or more longitudinal grooves disposed alongthe proximal portion and paralleling the proximal ramps; and a keelseparating each pair of adjacent of the one or more longitudinalgrooves.
 17. The implant of claim 16, wherein the proximal portion isconfigured to be implanted into a portion of a bone hole drilled in aproximal bone portion and the distal portion is configured to beimplanted into a portion of the bone hole drilled in a distal boneportion across the bone fusion site.
 18. The implant of claim 16,wherein the multiplicity of valleys is comprised of distal valleysdisposed near the line of fixation and proximal valleys disposed near aproximal end of the bone fusion implant.
 19. The implant of claim 16,wherein the multiplicity of ramps is comprised of distal ramps disposedon the distal portion and configured to contact a distal bone portion,and wherein the multiplicity of ramps is comprised of proximal rampsdisposed on the proximal portion and configured to contact a proximalbone portion.
 20. The implant of claim 16, wherein the one or morelongitudinal grooves extend along the entire length of the proximalportion.
 21. The implant of claim 16, wherein the one or morelongitudinal grooves are comprised of at least four longitudinalgrooves, and wherein at least two keels are disposed along the length ofthe proximal portion.